greens to jump start the drive to electric cars

Greens candidate for Eastern Victoria Samantha Dunn today announced a new election policy on electric cars which will jump start the drive to electric vehicles, including $75 million in new funding.

The funding, which partially restores cuts made by the Federal Government to the Green Car Innovation fund, will be invested in electric vehicle development and trials, as well as recharging infrastructure.

Electric cars are a great way to secure a clean future for the Latrobe Valley. We see the rest of the world moving towards electric vehicles, but Australia is being left behind. If we want to transform to a clean energy economy, electric vehicle manufacturing provides workers and families in the Latrobe Valley with long term clean energy jobs.

Only last month the conservative government in Germany announced a plan to put a million electric vehicles on the road. Electric cars are central to moving to a clean energy economy.

We've seen little support for families in the Latrobe Valley in the existing fossil fuel industries, long term investment in the valley and into manufacturing will secure a bright future for communities and return apprenticeship training to the valley.

The Federal Labor government has cut $200 million from the green car fund and is focused on existing fossil fuel technology. The Greens want to change that.

14% of Australia's carbon pollution comes from transport and 70% of our liquid fuel is sourced overseas. Moving to electric vehicles, along with investments in public transport, will mean we can cut climate pollution, increase our energy security and keep a car industry in Australia.

A shift to electric cars powered with clean energy will also enable better management and storage of renewable energy using a smart grid.

We want a secure future for people in the Latrobe Valley, creating new manufacturing industries is a way of securing that future.

To move forward Australia needs a plan for the transition to electric cars. The Greens want to work with Federal, State and local governments to develop a comprehensive regulatory and industry policy for electric vehicles.